trailer world Issue Two 2012

14 Ausgabe Zwei 2012 tions on cost transparency and the use of an intermediate neutral service-provider. Practical software also needs to be developed for a project of such dimensions. Urban Logistics offers many further synergy effects which have hardly been exploited so far. For example the drivers who deliver “meals on wheels” to elderly people at home, or the em- ployees of mobile age-care services, could also stop at supermar- kets along their route, and collect goods which have been ordered from there by their customers or patients. Another example is lockable mobile containers, which would allow goods to be deliv- ered to supermarkets at night. The goods would then not have to be received personally, but would be removed in the morning by the shop staff, from the container, which they would open with a key. A temperature recorder is fitted inside the “mobile goods receipt cell”, which would enable staff to check whether the cool- ing had been interrupted. Many concepts for the implementation of similar ideas have al- ready been developed, although most have so far proven to be unre- alistic. Christoph Windheuser believes that Urban Retail Logistics has good chances of implementation, particularly since the pressure to act has increased, and is growing further: “The focus of the project is not on cost savings, but on sustainability effects. The policy regu- lations could tighten quickly in this regard: we have seen this re- cently with the decision of the Federal Government on the energy revolution. If for example environmental zones are tightened, or CO2 duties are required on food stuffs, an urban hub could quickly develop and be worthwhile.” (jg) Series production not yet planned In the design, an attempt has been made not to look from the past into the future, but to think out the concept through a further development of the technologies available to- day. eT! does not look like a futuristic study, but like a vehicle that could be on the road tomorrow, and would benefit its target group. “No series production decision has yet been made regarding the vehicle”, explains Harthmuth Hoffmann. “But we may of course use individual features in other vehicles.” (jg) The goods are delivered on request to the home, even until the evening hours. Pressure is increasing for action by the retail trade The vehicle can be steered from both points in the front of the vehi- cle, while the tablet-PC provides support with route planning. Photos:GeorgiosKatsimitsoulias,Volkswagen,Amazone

trailer world Issue Two 2012

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